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An open letter to QLDC Staff from election candidate

John Glover No matter how talented or how many God given abilities we

might think we have as potential Councillors, the reality isthat none of us can achieve anything of note by ourselves.Anyone who describes Council employees as 'town hallbureaucrats" clearly has no sense of either the role or ofwhat is involved in working in the public sector.While acknowledging the requirements of Council staff todisplay impartiality in dealings with Councillors, asindividuals you have a right to vote and this letter sets out mythoughts on issues that affect you, a significant part of the

local electorate.The new Council needs to recognise Staff have been through a torrid restructuring processand there's been an inevitable loss of corporate skills and knowledge. If there wasn't somedisenfranchisement and doubt about the ability to get through the work, I'd be surprised.How crucial then, in the immediate future, for Council to track the ability of the organisationto deliver on the workload and be wholly clear that if anything is dropping off the table whythat is.My vision for Council is that it gains a great reputation for making things happen in smart &new ways that rapidly and visibly improve the lot for those of us who are here for the longterm.Council becomes an inspiring place to work. We take pride in improving the District.We play to the strengths of our staff, encourage innovation, feel as good about our jobs asevery one of the front line hospitality hosts that pass on their infectious buzz to our visitors.We should consider staff turnover rates, absence and sickness levels as barometerindicators of the organisations health, and training, secondment and development

opportunities as a measure of our investment. Council needs to strike the correct balance between taking direction from the communityand leading, inspiring and empowering members of the community.The costs of living, some basic services, buying or building a house or doing business inthe District are often reported as being too high.Public service is not private business, but it needs to be run in a business like way and asa Council, we need to be sure that our systems aren't unnecessarily adding costs - and bythat I mean the policies and processes that Council has adopted.

7/27/2019 Letter to QLDC staff.pdf

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We should benchmark the cost of some basic services -water, waste, building consents,development contributions etc against other Districts to see how we measure up and usethe results to develop a discussion about where the costs are actually coming from.I look forward, if I'm successful in my election attempt, to joining an organisation that doesmake a difference and wish you all the best for the future.Remember, you can ask questions via www.vote.co.nzwhich you can do so in a less face to face manner than anelection meeting and gives all candidates the opportunity torespond.You will be able to find my stance on the usual range ofelection topics as they are reported in the media or on myFacebook page.Finally, don't forget to check out my daily "politics 101"tweets @johngqldcRegards,John GloverProduced and authorised by John Glover 862 Kinloch Road, Glenorchy 9372